The 2026 Nissan Murano is a comfort-oriented crossover with a cushy ride, standard all-wheel drive, and a long list of standard features. It’s stylish and well-equipped with many luxury appointments. But the Murano falls a bit short in the crowded midsize SUV segment for its performance and cargo space.
Base Price: $49,600
As Tested: $57,385
Horsepower: 241
Mileage: 21 mpg city/27 mpg highway/23 mpg combined
The Murano got redesigned for the 2025 model year, with updated styling influenced by Nissan’s Ariya EV with a sweeping nose, slender LED headlights, and a distinctive “floating” roofline framed in polished silver. The curvy, aerodynamic lines stand out compared to other boxier competitors.
For 2026, all Murano trims now come standard with all-wheel drive, several premium features are now available on the SL trim, and ProPILOT Assist 2.11, Nissan’s semi-automated system that allows hands-off freeway driving, is now available in the Platinum Technology package.
The 2026 Murano comes in three trims: SV, SL and Platinum. Starting prices are $41,670, 46,760 and 49,800, respectively. These prices approach true luxury vehicles with options and packages. As noted above, AWD is now standard on all trims.
While some rivals are now available as hybrids, there’s not yet a hybrid option for the Murano.
There’s room for five passengers in two rows of seating.
Under the hood is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine that makes 241 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The transmission is a nine-speed automatic.
The Murano is a smooth operator, geared toward providing a refined and comfortable ride. Steering is nicely weighted and brakes are responsive. The Murano feels planted when cornering with little body roll. Power can be an issue. While there’s plenty for driving around town, you’ll wish for more oomph when the Murano is loaded with people and gear. You’ll notice some turbo lag when accelerating and it may take longer to speed up than you expect. Paddle shifters and a drive mode selector with Eco, Standard and Sport modes let drivers have some manual control over performance.
Overall, the Murano is all about composure and comfortable cruising, not agile handling. If performance is important to you, the Murano won’t be your first choice.
When properly equipped, the Murano can tow up to 1,500 pounds. This is below average for a midsize SUV.
Fuel economy is average for a midsize SUV. EPA ratings are 21 mpg city, 27 mpg highway and 23 mpg combined. I got 23 mpg during my week with a mix of city and highway driving.
The cabin is upscale with near-luxury appointments. Quality materials, plush seating and the floating roof design look elegant. Front seats are very comfy. Passengers in both rows enjoy generous leg- and headroom, and even taller adults will be comfortable in the second row. The cabin is quiet as a library, thanks to thorough sound insulation. Two 12.3-inch screens are on the dash. One houses the instrument display and the other is the infotainment touchscreen.
Standard features include remote start, remote keyless entry, push-button start, rearview camera, dual-zone automatic climate control, Prima-Tex synthetic leather upholstery, eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, six-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, heated front seats, infotainment system with 12.3-inch touchscreen, six-speaker audio system, satellite radio, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, four USB-C ports (two in front, two in back), wireless device charging, voice recognition, active noise cancellation, automatic high-beam headlights, heated outside mirrors, and a 12-volt outlet in the cargo area.
Available features include a surround-view camera system, surround-view camera system with 3D rotation, head-up display, auto-dimming rearview mirror, Prima-Tex leatherette-wrapped seats with perforation, semi-aniline leather-appointed front seats, two-driver power seat memory, heated, cooled and massaging front seats with four-way power lumbar support, heated rear seats, heated steering wheel, Bose 10-speaker audio system, Google-based infotainment system, Alexa Built-in voice response, Wi-Fi hot spot, rain-sensing windshield wipers, universal garage door opener, ambient LED lighting, and a panoramic moonroof with powered shade.
Standard driver assistance technologies include forward collision warning, forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, blind-spot monitoring with intervention, traffic-sign recognition, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, driver-attention monitoring, and rear-seat alert.
Available driver assistance technologies include stop-and-go adaptive cruise control,
ProPilot Assist 2.1, Nissan’s semi-automated driving system, and active driver-attention monitoring with unresponsive driver assist.
The infotainment system consists of two 12.3-inch screens. One is a customizable digital instrument display. The other is the infotainment system touchscreen. The SV trim uses a Nissan Connect interface, while the SL and Platinum trims use a Google-based system. Graphics look good and the system responds quickly to commands. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard. One peeve is that some climate controls are capacitive buttons in the touchscreen which can be unintuitive and distracting to use while driving.
Cargo space is adequate, but many rivals have more. The Murano has 32.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 63.5 cubes with the second row folded. The load floor is low and wide, making it easy to load and unload your stuff. A power liftgate is standard on all trims. A hands-free motion-activated power liftgate is available on the SL and standard on the Platinum.
The good:
Stand-out looks
Refined, quiet ride
Standard AWD on all trims
Premium and comfortable cabin
Both rows are roomy and adult-friendly
Many standard and available features and tech
Standard wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
The not-so-good:
Performance is not sporty
Climate controls can be distracting
Price can climb close to true luxury vehicles
Pricing info:
My tester starts at $46,900. The Technology Package is $2,900 and includes ProPilot Assist 2.1 with driver monitor, 3D enhanced intelligent around view monitor with ultra-wide view, driver attention warning and driver distraction warning, information support light ad link, and driver seat-mounted front-center supplemental air bag. The Cargo Package is $470 and includes a three-position all-season cargo area protector, retractable cargo cover, cargo net and first aid kit. The illuminated cargo scuff plate is $520. The panoramic headliner illumination is $445. Illuminated kick plates are $425. Two-tone exterior with premium paint is $1,000. Carpeted floor mats, cargo mat, seatback protector and cargo blocks are $530. The destination charge is $1,495, bringing the grand total to $57,385.
Bottom line:
The 2026 Nissan Murano brings many luxury features to the midsize SUV category and appeals to drivers who want a comfortable ride with an upscale ambiance in the cabin. But meh performance and less cargo space than some competitors are drawbacks. Still, the Murano is a solid choice for those wanting a stylish and well-equipped cruiser.
